Students can look at two different types of insurance to meet their needs. Students that feel they are going to need health insurance for an extended period of time should look at a standard individual plan. Students who feel that they need health insurance for a time period of less than one year might consider a short-term health insurance plan. Short-term health insurance plans typically offer coverage up to 6 months however there are some plans that offer coverage up to 12 months. The idea behind short-term health insurance plans is to protect against unforeseen accidents or illness, as opposed to providing full coverage and usually do not include coverage for dental, vision care, physicals and preventive care. These policies are typically easier and quicker to obtain. Short-term health insurance plans usually do not cover pre-existing medical conditions.

The purchase of a short-term medical insurance plan will deem you ineligible for any guaranteed issue individual health plans known as HIPAA Plans. HIPAA plans are intended for people with pre-existing medical conditions who would normally have trouble getting health insurance and are usually very expensive. If you wish to maintain your eligibility for HIPAA plans, you should not purchase a short-term plan. Please consult your benefits advisor to discuss your rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other rights under state law.